Microlensing uses Albert Einstein’s theory of general relatively which suggests what we perceive as the force of gravity actually arises from the curvature of space and time.

Einstein believed that although Earth appears to be pulled towards the sun, it is in fact the shape of space-time around the sun that changes the way Earth moves.

Named, MOA-2011-BLG-322, the planet is around eight times the size of Jupiter (left), the largest planet in our solar system

WHAT IS MICROLENSING?

Microlensing uses Albert Einstein’s theory of general relatively which suggests what we perceive as the force of gravity actually arises from the curvature of space and time.

Einstein believed that although Earth appears to be pulled towards the sun, it is in fact the shape of space-time around the sun that changes the way Earth moves.

Microlensing makes use of this theory by measuring how the light of a distant star is intensified due to the gravitational field of a closer star.

According to Einstein’s theory, this is caused by bending of the surrounding space-time which makes the more distant star easier to discover by Earth observatories.

Microlensing makes use of this theory by measuring how the light of a distant star is intensified due to the gravitational field of a closer star.

According to Einstein’s theory, this is caused by bending of the surrounding space-time which makes the more distant star easier to discover by Earth observatories.

The transient brightening of MOA-2011-BLG-322 was seen in 2011 by astronomers in Japan, New Zealand, Poland and Israel.

Data from these observations suggest that giant world is likely to be an M-type- the most common type of star in space.

The planet is thought to have an orbital distance times four-times the Earth’s distance from the sun.

The research suggests that if such a massive planet can exist at that distance from its star, then current formation theories about planets may be incorrect.

A massive cluster of galaxies is pictured in this undated image courtesy of Nasa and Esa. The gravitational field surrounding this cluster, acts as a natural lens in space to brighten and magnify the light coming from very distant background galaxies